Tomato, a derivative of the Spanish word tomate, is one of the highest concentrated nutritional foods with extreme health benefits. Tomato, botanically known as solanum lycopersicum is a flowering plant in the nightshade family and native to South America. Numerous varieties of the tomato plant are widely grown in temperate climates across the world, with greenhouses allowing for the production of tomatoes throughout all seasons of the year.
Tomato is abundant in fiber and an excellent source of vitamins A, and C, variations of vitamin B amongst others. It is rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus. It is also low in calories and cholesterol. Tomato is 95% water and 4% carbohydrate and 1% fat. It serves as major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene. Although it is botanically considered as a fruit and sometimes eaten raw in salads, or used as a delicious snack, it is widely prepared like a vegetable and used as a common ingredient in many dishes across the world.
The antioxidant lycopene is the pigment that gives tomatoes its red distinguishing colour. Generally, antioxidants protect the human body from damage caused by compounds known as free radicals. By way of illustration, when free radical levels outnumber antioxidant levels, they can create oxidative stress in one’s body, thereby leading to some chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Research shows that the antioxidant properties of lycopene can help keep free radical levels in balance, protecting the human body against some of the aforementioned conditions.
Lycopene may prevent or slow down the progression of breast, and prostate cancers, lower the risk of developing or prematurely dying from heart disease, prevent or delay the formation of cataracts as well as reduce the risk of macular degeneration the leading cause of blindness in older adults. It may also help reduce pain caused by nerve and tissue damage, prevent memory loss experienced in aged-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, slow down the death of bone cells, reinforce bone architecture and help keep bone healthy and strong.
Considering the various health benefits tomatoes provide and makes available to the health of humans, one can be enticed to increasing its quantity in a meal, but this must be done in moderation. This is for the reason that tomatoes can have dangerous effects on one’s health when consumed in excess. For instance, too much of tomatoes can cause acid reflux since tomatoes contains malic and citric acid which makes a person’s tummy extremely acidic, or causes allergies, joint pain, amongst others.
Tomatoes should therefore be judiciously incorporated in one’s menu or eating habits to attain the nutritional values it comes with. They can, for example, be used to prepare very simple or complex salads, scrambled eggs (to add colour and taste), and sauce.
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